A Streak, an Injury and a Trade

God bless these little triers, they've done all they could, but now the dream of the most unlikely playoff appearance in professional sports must be retired.

It's not going to happen.

But damn if this team isn't something.

They are only three games off of a Bettman .500 and they lead the NHL in penalty killing, as well as having a spectacular 12 short handed goals (the Flames 16 must be some kind of record).

They are only 4 points (although with the opposite of two games in hand) out a playoff spot, which is a respectable as ___ position for a team with almost 350 man games lost to injury.

What is amazing, is that they are only four points back after losing five in a row. I mean, if there was ever a year not to be completely decimated by injuries so that you could coast to a playoff spot, this was it.

But that's not even really bad news. They are only three points out of last place and they have a great excuse for it, so it's win win with a franchise player or two available in this summer's draft.

Plus, think of all the nice picks and prospects you can get for guys like Panik or Grabner if he comes back.